Category Manager | Seeds, Bulbs & Hardy Plants

Our client is a leading garden centre chain who are looking to drive new product sourcing and maintain brand identity. They are seeking a candidate to category manage seeds, bulbs and hardy plants, to optimise the performance of the buying function through existing supply base evaluation, sourcing new product from UK and Europe. Where possible moving the supply to UK grown, including the use of local suppliers in centres. Maximising profitability and ensuring the company profile for an AB1 demographic and aspirational product range is maintained.

The role will entail the management, development and leadership of the category on a day-to-day basis to ensure that existing ranges of merchandise are procured efficiently, stock control and product exiting is effectively managed, new product is procured and delivered appropriately and sales are optimised to maximise profitability.
Management of supplier relationships to ensure high service levels continue and to optimise terms and conditions.
Development and launch of an own brands within the plant, seeds and bulbs.
Assessment of UK supply base and evaluation and management. Create and maintain the supplier matrix to manage the suppliers and ranging in each centre. Management of contract grown stock, to ensure consistent supply of key lines to centres.
Working closely with the Head of Plants, Plant Analysts, Retail Support team and EPOS team to ensure analysis of sales and profit for efficient and relevant procurement of new and existing product ranges and to ensure the buying process is robust and performance is on target.
Briefing the Marketing and Design team on new product initiatives, POS material and seasonal change requirements at centre level.
Ensure the promotion planner is updated and stock procured in the right quantities, DC offer and key line multi buys in place, make sure information is available for centres in advance.
Streamlining buying related functions and procedures to ensure range planning, budget adherence and delivery schedules are robust and provide visibility for analysis and reporting, ensuring deadlines are met.
Anticipate and take responsibility for driving product development through business change via implementation of new product strategy.
Creating and issuing the weekly and monthly reports to help the decision making of the centres and the Plant team.

For this role they are seeking someone with previous buying and category management experience who is capable of working within the team to ensure their goals are met.